Alvaro Arbeloa issues response after Fulham stars' cryptic social media messages

Alvaro Arbeloa has issued a response after strange social media activity from three of his Fulham players.

Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe deleted all reference to the club on their personal pages, while winger Kevin posted a bizarre Instagram story following the defeat by Crystal Palace.

The Brazilian wrote: “No speak, no hear, no see”, having been an unused substitute against the Eagles.

Smith Rowe was brought on with 10 minutes to go, while Iwobi started the match and was replaced by Rodrigo Muniz on 83 minutes.

The Nigerian had also started alongside Sander Berge in the 1-0 defeat by Sunderland, while Smith Rowe and Kevin were late changes once more at the Stadium of Light.

Before that, the pair were handed a rare start by Arbeloa in the 3-0 League Cup victory over AFC Wimbledon, but they were benched on the first day of the season in the 3-2 home defeat by neighbours Chelsea.

Cameo appearances: Emile Smith Rowe

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Smith Rowe was unused, while Kevin came on for debutant Cesar Palacios, who has been Arbeloa’s preferred left-wing option, while Oscar Bobb has operated off the right.

Josh King has been the go-to No10, while Iwobi has started every league game.

Arbeloa, who took over the reins from Marco Silva earlier this summer, was asked about the players’ social media activity ahead of his side’s trip to Liverpool.

"I think you learn more about a group after a defeat than after a win, and they have worked with a very positive attitude this week," he said.

"When you're a player and you aren't playing, you can't be happy. I expect that feeling from my players that aren't playing. I want them to show me they aren't happy in our training sessions. That's the most important thing for me.

"I can see how hard they are working. I feel I have a very good group with a very good attitude."

The Cottagers remain winless in the league under their new manager this term, and they travel to West Ham in the third round of the Carabao Cup next week, before a home fixture against Manchester United the following weekend.